James Wadsley (Instant Jupiter Mix: Recent Ideas on How Planets Form), was born under the Southern Cross in Australia. He travelled to Toronto for Graduate Studies in Astronomy and has been living in North America ever since. He is currently at McMaster University where he will be an Assistant Professor in Physics and Astronomy starting this summer. His research relies heavily on supercomputer simulations, particularly of gaseous systems where gravity is important. These include planet- forming disks, interstellar clouds and galaxies all the way up to patches of space that are an appreciable fraction of the observable universe.

From ancient times astronomers have wanted to understand the origin of the solar system; however, this is still an elusive goal. Fabulous new observations of dusty planet-forming disks and large planets orbiting other stars have shaken up old notions about regular planetary systems formed slowly over millions of years by rocky collisions. James will discuss current knowledge and theories and show movies of his own work: simulations that indicate gas giant planets such as Jupiter may form in under 1000 years.

Visit James' website.